Clay County AlArchives News.....Steven, Jack killed by David Roberts  December 5, 1896
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Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 March 19, 2023, 4:12 pm

Birmingham State Herald December 5, 1896
A horrible murder was committed in this county near Ironton last Thursday 
evening.  David Roberts, of Clay County, shot Jack Stevens, of the upper edge of 
this county.  From what can be ascertained of the matter the fact, in substance, 
are about these: David Roberts, in company with two other young men, left this 
city for their home in Clay County.  Roberts was very drunk when he left town, 
and on approaching the outskirts of the city of Ironton, saw Jack Stevens, (who 
is a man of about 60 years of age) standing alone near the side of the road, and 
without speaking or giving the slightest warning to the old man, he (Roberts), 
drew his pistol and shot him through the head, from the effects of which he died 
in a few hours.  The murderer was pursued to his home in Clay County, arrested 
and brought to this city, where he is now in jail.  The crime was a most 
diabolical one, and the perpetrator will most probably swing for it when he is 
tried.  The murdered man was a peaceable, orderly citizen, and esteemed in the 
community in which he resided.

Dec 10, 1896:
The preliminary trial of David Roberts, of Clay County, for the killing of old 
man Jack Stevens, of Ironation, was held this morning before Justice Newman. 
Solicitor Garber represented the state and Joseph B. Graham the defendant. The 
facts in the case are just as wrote you a few days ago. The prisoner was sent 
back to jail without the right of bend, Justice Newman deciding that the killing 
was murder in the first degree. What makes this case especially pathetic is the 
condition of the murderer. The boy is only about 21 years of age and is 
practically an Idiot. Never has there been seen in the courthouse in this city 
such a pitiable, forlorn looking man. The murderer has never for a moment shown 
the slightest self-concern. He has remained all along as stolid as an insensate 
stone. Apparently, he has not the slightest realization of his terrible 
condition. Poor, illy clad, friendless, penniless and Idiotic, he presents a sad 
spectacle for contemplation. Mr. Graham read an eloquent appeal, full of 
impassioned oratory and feeling. His speech was a masterly one, and as he 
portrayed in touching strains the suffering of the poor woman in widow’s weeds, 
and the ruined, blasted life of the poor, friendless, unfortunate prisoner, he 
brought tears to the eyes of many. Never fur once, however, did the prisoner 
show the slightest emotion. Human life, after all presents scenes many and 
varied. For myself I can’t believe much in this idea of free moral agency. I 
think men as a rule in life do the best, they can with the light they have and 
what we want is more light. Had this poor demented creature been possessed of a 
sound mind and well poised soul, I hardly think he would have committed this 
terrible mistake. A mistake that can never be rectified in this world. The truth 
I think most probably is that men act according to their darkness to their 
light, according to their ignorance, to their intelligence. 


Additional Comments:
Note: This was on the Clay/Talladega County line. 


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